Underdog by L.A. Witt [Review]

Underdog (In Vino Veritas) by L.A. Witt
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 12, 2023

In Vino Veritas
Wildfire
Counterpoint
Unmanageable
Underdog - Paperback | Kindle
Wonderland
Dauntless

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Busy Bean
1. Sweetheart

Moo U
1. Boyfriend

Speakeasy
1. Touchstone

True North
1. Bittersweet

Vino and Veritas
1. Roommate

L.A. Witt
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Life in foster care wasn’t easy. Life after prison? Unforgiving. But I’m determined to stay out of trouble, and I’m gaining a foothold on the closest I’ve ever known to normal.

Then, thanks to a pair of escape artist dogs from the sanctuary where I’ve found work, I cross paths with my boss’s neighbor, Ty Adams. He’s a horse trainer, and winter is his quiet season. It’s also the season when he gets restless and lonely—two things I know all about. He’s not interested in love or romance. I’m just happy someone’s interested in me at all, even if emotions are strictly forbidden.

When we’re not together, I’m thinking about him. When we are together… Well, I’m definitely thinking about what he does to me and what I want to do with him.

As we keep each other warm through the Vermont winter, this feels a lot more than physical. Somehow he soothes my pain, and I wonder if I’m touching something deep inside him too. But Ty won’t let himself love anyone. I never had a chance. And now, with my past closing in, I could lose the one man I hoped I could count on. The one I thought might be different.

When his present and my history collide, is it too much to hope he’ll choose me?

Thoughts on Underdog: Next up we have Landon and Ty. One's trying to get his feet back under him after being paroled from prison. The other is convinced he has nothing to offer anyone except hookups and short term coupledom since his farm (and his beloved horses) require all his attention.

First off, Landon has it rough. Sure, he did a bad thing (or two) that ended him in prison, but he's learned his lesson and he's absolutely determined to not end up back there. So he puts up with the wary looks (some more than wary, mind you) and the fact no one trusts him. He puts up with the parole visits and the fear that he's going to get sent back even if he does everything right. He toes the line as tightly as he can and he keeps his head down. Ty's trust in him is a gift and he's not going to betray it.

On Ty's end, he might enjoy the time he spends with Landon, but he doesn't think he's relationship material for anyone since he has to give so much to the farm. He might like all the things he and Landon do and he might like the support Landon gives him when things get tough on the farm, but he refuses to drag someone into a one-sided relationship. Never mind that Landon loves the farm and he loves the animals and he doesn't begrudge Ty either the time he spends on it or how hard he works.

Basically, the two of them have a few issues to work through. Ty needs to realize he DOES have a lot to give in a relationship. Landon needs to realize he's more than the years he spent in prison. It takes a lot of hookups, a long night or two spent with the animals, and a reckless act by someone that puts Landon's freedom at risk for these two to get where they need to be.

Two escape artist dogs, a whole lot of horses, some familiar faces (Brent and Jon! Luke!), and two men keeping warm in the best way through the long, cold winter. *thumbs up*